During the service Rev Glover told the mourners that “this was no place for judging” before leading into the hymn ‘Father, Forgive Our Foolish Ways’.

The family tribute was given by nephew Phillipe Bousiere who spoke of Paton’s early impoverished life growing up in Prestonpans.

Tam’s great love of animals

He said “Tom was different to everyone else” and that from an early age he had a “remarkable musical talent”.

Mr Boussiere also spoke affectionately about Paton’s “disarming charm” and his “frivolous and carefree attitude”.

He said: “Tom always had a great love of animals and the underdog. Money and all its trappings did not interest him”

Mr Boussiere then went on to berate the press for their “sensationalist” stories concerning his late uncle, but also commented that Paton had “moved in circles we are glad not to know”.

After the service, friend and mourner David Dalgleish, 63, said: “Tam was a dear friend to many not just myself, and I trusted him implicitly.

“He was always there when you needed him and he had a heart of gold.

“Musically, he was a genius and could play many instruments – he didn’t just manage bands.

“It’s a sad loss for everybody who knew him.”

Paton had made millions through the success of the Bay City Rollers in the 1970s, but was a far more controversial figure in recent years.

He was convicted of sex offences against two boys aged 16 and 17 in 1982, but cleared of child sex abuse allegations in 2003.

Missing royalties

The 70 year-old was also convicted of drug dealing in 2004 after £26,000 worth of cannabis was found at his home, but was cleared on appeal.

In 2007, he was cleared of raping the band’s guitarist Pat McGlynn in a hotel room in 1977.

Since they split 30 years ago, former band members Les McKeown, Stuart ‘Woody’ Wood, Derek and Alan Longmuir and Eric Faulkner have been locked in a bitter feud over claims of missing royalties.

Paton had previously said that after his death his property empire, TDP Investments, would be taken over by trustees, and his will is said to include cash for various animal charities and for the children’s hospice at Kinross, Fife.

Thomas Dugald Paton is survived by his brother David, and his two sisters Mary and Jessie.